Research Areas
At the School of Architecture and Built Environment (SABE), our research addresses the most pressing challenges facing people, places, and the planet. We work across disciplines to reimagine the built environment through creative, critical, and collaborative inquiry — connecting Indigenous knowledges, sustainable futures, construction innovation, and design practice to drive meaningful change in communities and industries.
Research Pillars
Decolonisation & Societal Change
Decolonisation and societal change centres cultural sovereignty, Indigenous knowledges, and country-led practice. It challenges historical power structures through gender equity, intersectionality, and critical theory, reshaping socio-cultural practices toward justice and self-determination.
Sustainable & Regenerative Research
Sustainable and regenerative research explores environment and sustainability, climate change adaptation, and innovative materials and systems. It seeks to reimagine how societies design, produce, and live — restoring ecological balance for future generations.
Creative Research & Practices
Creative research and practice spans participatory design, pedagogy, speculative design, and visualisation methods. It embraces creative practice as a mode of inquiry, generating knowledge through making, collaboration, and imaginative exploration of possible futures.
Construction Management & Transformation
Construction management and transformation spans industry-focused research, housing, policy and regulation, safety and wellbeing, and workforce development. It drives practice improvement through technology, automation, AI, and innovative approaches to urban environments.
Research Centers and Groups
Research Centres
Research Groups
Alternative Housing Group
The Alternate Housing Group is a research collective within the School of Architecture and Built Environment focused on alternative modes and methods of housing within Australia.
Circular Economy and Sustainable Construction
CE-SC is a multidisciplinary group advancing circular economy and sustainable construction through innovative materials, smart systems and low‑carbon processes. The group’s applied research shapes industry practice, policy and sustainability standards for the built environment.
Disaster & Resilience Group
This research group focuses on disaster risk reduction and resilience spanning across different sectors. For example, focusing on post-disaster housing systems relating to recovery and reconstruction, often involving evaluative studies of projects.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.